Press release

Belgium is second finalist for ninth place in Niterói

Niterói, Brazil, August 9, 2011 – Belgium defeated Japan, 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-18 ) and earned a place in the ninth-place final against Germany on Wednesday at Caio Martins gymnasium.

Belgium has been in Niteroi since the beginning of the competition and has an overall record of 5-2. Japan started at Rio cluster, but moved to Niteroi for the second round and has a 3-4 record overall.

Belgium’s François Lecat led all scorers with 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks and one ace. Taiki Tsuruda led Japan with 14 successful attacks. Belgium did a good job shutting down Japan’s leading scorer, Takashi Dekita, who was held to 10 points on 10 attacks.

Belgium led in blocks (13-4) and in aces (3-0). The teams were very close in attacks, with Belgium leading 41-40.

With the score tied 5-5 in the first set, Belgium scored four straight points, including a big block and attack from Deroo, to pull ahead 9-5. Japan could not put together a run of more than two points whiel Belgium kept up the pressure at the net and the European side eased to the 25-19 set victory. The teams were tied in attacks, 12-12, but Belgium led in blocks (4-0) and service aces (1-0).

In the second set, Belgium took an 8-5 lead at the first TTO, and still led by three at 13-10. Japan’s Ryota Denda used two attacks to pull the Asian side to within one at 13-12. But Belgium’s Francois Lecat came back with a right-side attack and then an ace to hold off Japan. Japan again pulled to within one point at 18-17 thanks to Takashi Dekita’s attack. Belgium still led by one at 21-20, but two Japan hitting errors gave Belgium a 23-20 lead and Japan did not respond.

Belgium took an 11-3 lead in the third set. With Belgium leading 20-11, Japan scored three straight points, and later scored two straight to pull to within five at 21-16. But Belgium did not let the Asian side get any closer.